2022 Proctor Plenaries and Workshops

 July 19, 2022

“This Is What Democracy Looks Like: Discerning and Describing Multiracial Democracy”

Presenters
Dr. Nadia E. Brown, Professor of Government, Chair of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program, Georgetown University
Rev. Dr. Earle Fisher, Founder, #UPTheVote901 and Convener, Memphis People’s Convention
Youth and Young Adult: Andrew B. Pierce II, John Glenn College of Public Affairs

Moderator
Tracy Najera, State Director, Children’s Defense Fund–Ohio

July 20, 2022

“Let America Be America Again: Why the Democratic Process Gives Us Pause”

Presenters/Panelists
Rev. Dr. Obery Hendricks, author of Christians Against Christianity: How Right-Wing Evangelicals Are Destroying Our Nation and Our Faith
Charlene A. Carruthers, political strategist, cultural worker and PhD student in the Department of African American Studies at Northwestern University
Youth/Young Adult: Divine Savell McAllister, Jr., DC Dream Center, CDF Freedom Schools

Moderator
Patrick Bresette, State Director, Children’s Defense Fund–Texas

July 21, 2022

“The Four: Prophetic Resistance Podcast”

Presenter

Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ

Lisa Sharon Harper, prolific speaker, writer and activist

Rev. Michael-Ray Matthews, Deputy Director and Chief Faith Officer, Faith in Action

Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, public theologian, author and preacher

“‘A Little Child Shall Lead Them:’ Early Childhood Development” (Tues.)

Description

In 2019, center-based childcare for an infant cost more than public college tuition in twenty-eight states and the District of Columbia. Meanwhile, the number of children receiving publicly funded child care subsidies has decreased by more than 430,000 since 2006. Major Western faith traditions tie small children, their presence, and their nurture with hope and future of the community. In Isaiah 11:6 a peaceable and thriving future is ushered in by a flourishing infant. Gain tools for connecting early childhood data to theological concepts to embolden your faith community’s advocacy for young children.  

Presenter(s)

Oleta Garrett Fitzgerald – Children’s Defense Fund Southern Regional Director and Sheri Brady – CDF VP Programming   

“A Pandemic Within a Pandemic: Raising Children and Racial Unrest” (Wed.)

Description

This is workshop will address the impact the pandemic has had on families and how it intersects social issues that are often experienced as pandemics within vulnerable communities and the significance in engaging trauma-informed care with parents/caretakers.  

Presenters

Gregory C. Ellison II, PhD, Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Candler School of Theology in conversation with parents and children 

“Arts, Culture, and Child Well-Being Theology” (Tues. and Wed.; youth track, ages 14–18)

Description

This workshop is designed to center the views and voices of youth people to envision together the intersection of art, culture, and a child-welling being theology. Ages 12 and up welcome to come explore with us.

Facilitators

Rev. Damien Durr and Rev. Dr Michael Brandon McCormick

“CDF Freedom Schools^®: A Culturally Responsive Curriculum for Black and Brown Children” (Tues.)

Description

An overview of freedom school and the freedom school curriculum and its effectiveness on literacy and culture.

Presenters

Dr. Kristal Clemons– National Director of Freedom School, Keely Norris, Ed.S. Director of Training Initiatives, CDF Freedom Schools, Shaquité L. Pegues, M.Ed , Director of Ella Baker Leadership Development; Sr. Program Associate – CDF Marlboro County, SC

“CDF Freedom Schools^®: Bringing the Model to Your Campus, Faith-Based Organization, or Community” (Tues.)

Description

Hear from the executive directors of Freedom Schools at Garrett/Evanston, IL and Wake Forest/ Winston-Salem, NC about how to begin, plan, collaborate, organize, and host a Freedom Schools program in your community.  

Presenters

Reginald Blount, PhD, Murray H. Leiffer Associate Professor of Formation, Leadership and Culture Director, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary; Virginia Lee, PhD, Associate Professor of Christian Education and Director of Deacon Studies, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary; Dani Parker-Moore, PhD, Assistant Professor of Multicultural Education and Director of the Schools, Education, and Society Minor, Wake Forest

“Healing Our Children Through Trauma-Informed Care” (Tues.)

Description

This workshop will provide an overview of child trauma, the importance of understanding how trauma impacts the lives of children, and the significance of engaging trauma-informed care with children and youth. he lives of children, and the significance of utilizing trauma-informed care with children and youth.

Presenter

Reverend Lorena M. Parrish, PhD, Associate Professor of Urban Ministries and Director, Community Engagement Institute and Center for Public Theology, Wesley Theological Seminary  

“The Black Messiah: Preaching a Radical Vision of Community” (Wed.)

Description

Drawing from his research in, Reverend Albert Cleage Jr. and the Black Prophetic Tradition: A Reintroduction of The Black Messiah, will explore the role of revolutionary public rhetoric for building movements for social transformation. Participants will gain insight and approaches to reclaiming this tradition in their respective contexts.

Presenters

Rev. Dr. Earle Fisher, Senior Pastor, Abyssinian Missionary Baptist Church, Memphis, TN

“Organizing a Children’s Sabbath as a Catalyst for Change” (Wed.)

Description

Workshop description: Learn how you can engage your congregation in the National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths celebration, a nation-wide multifaith weekend of worship, education, and action to generate year-round change for children. This will be an interactive workshop generating practical planning strategies and creative ideas for worship, education, outreach, and advocacy that you can take back to your congregation and community to engage them in the 2022 Children’s Sabbath.  

Presenters

Bridgit Hurly, Eric Brown, Becca Davis, PhD; Kercena Dozier – State Director in NY (moderator) 

“To Make a Rest of Motion: Safe Space for Reflections on the Day” (Tues., Wed.)

Description

In his meditation “To Make a Rest of Motion,” Howard Thurman wrote, “It is ever a grace and a benediction to be able to come to a halt, to stop, to pause, to make a rest of motion. Thus we are privileged to turn aside from the things that occupy and preoccupy our minds in the daily round, to take a long intimate look at ourselves both in retrospect and prospect….” Each day at CDF’s Proctor Institute is full—full of emotions and insights, full of ideas and information, full of challenge and opportunity, community and commitment. By afternoon, we have heard, seen, and felt things that touch different and deep places in our hearts and minds. You are invited into this time and safe space to “make a rest of motion” and reflect with others on what the day has stirred in you. Join Proctor’s Co-Chaplains in Residence for this time of conversation and contemplation. All ages are welcome. 

Presenters

Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan-Simpson and  Rev. Candance Simpson

“Strategies for Creating Centers That Impact the Community” (Wed.)

Description

This workshop will present strategies to create centers on university campuses that engage in community-facing work and/or work for the public good. Workshop participants will discuss ways these centers can promote synergy between the university, religious institutions, and the local community to address social and political challenges. Emphasis will be placed on mobilizing centers and university resources for the good of the community through engagement and collaboration. Particularly, workshop participants will consider the role these centers can take in promoting awareness and collaboration to address issues related to food insecurity. 

Presenters

Dr. Derek S. Hicks, Associate Professor of Religion and Culture at Wake Forest University School of Divinity

“Building the Movement and Healing Our Bodies” (Tues.)

Description

Trauma and stress are embodied.  Come practice some movements that helps to move negative energy out of your body. Participants will be engaged in a multilevel experience of liberation arts through yoga and dance. All ages welcome. 

Presenters

Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagan-Banks, Executive Director, A Just Harvest 

“Continuing the Conversation” (Tues., Wed.)

Description

In these sessions, participants will have the opportunity to engage in conversation with some of the speakers from the morning Children and Justice plenaries in a smaller, more informal and interactive setting. This will be a time to go deeper into topics that were raised in the morning plenary session and to raise questions, relate experiences, or share thoughts that were raised by the plenary.

Presenters

Plenary Speakers:  Nadia Brown, PhD (Tuesday); Obery Hendricks, PhD (Wednesday)  

“Intergenerational Conversation on Beloved Community” (Wed.)  

Description

Come join in this time of informal, intergenerational listening and learning from each other imaging together what Beloved Community looks and feels like.

Facilitators

Revs. Dorsey Blake and Vahisha Hasan

“Music for Our Movement” – Choir Rehearsal (Tues., Wed.)

Description

All are welcome to participate in the Resurrection Choir under the direction of Dr Tony McNeil, Proctor’s Ministers of Music. Rehearsals are held in the Lodge each evening. The choir sings at the evening Great Preacher Series worship and Morning Devotions. It is never too late to join in, so if you are inspired by the choir on the first night, join for the next! 

Presenters

Dr. Tony McNeill

Dr. Khyle Wooten

“Praying With Our Feet: A Theology of Organizing” (Tues.)

Description

A theological lens on why faith-based leaders/groups should be organizing in the community.

Presenter

Rev. Teresa Smallwood, PhD, The James Franklin Kelly and Hope Eyster Kelly Associate Professor of Public Theology, United Lutheran Seminary and Gus Newport

“The ‘How to’ of Registration, Education, and Mobilization” (Wed.)

Description

This workshop will give you the “how to” information you need to prepare your congregation and community for the November elections.

Presenter

Rev. Dr. Teresa Smallwood, Esq., The James Franklin Kelly and Hope Eyster Kelly Associate Professor of Public Theology, United Lutheran Seminary

“‘To Make a Rest of Motion:’ Safe Space for Reflections on the Day” (Tues., Wed.)

In his meditation “To Make a Rest of Motion,” Howard Thurman wrote, “It is ever a grace and a benediction to be able to come to a halt, to stop, to pause, to make a rest of motion. Thus we are privileged to turn aside from the things that occupy and preoccupy our minds in the daily round, to take a long intimate look at ourselves both in retrospect and prospect….”

Each day at CDF’s Proctor Institute, is full—full of emotions and insights, full of ideas and information, full of challenge and opportunity, community, and commitment. By afternoon, attendees have heard, seen, and felt things that touch different and deep places in the heart and mind. This workshop offers time and a safe space to “make a rest of motion” and reflect with others on what the day has stirred in you. Join Proctor’s co-chaplains-in-residence for this time of conversation and contemplation. All ages are welcome.

Facilitators

Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan Simpson, President, Auburn Theological Seminary, and Candace Simpson, Lead Writer and Curriculum Designer, Fish Sandwich Heaven

“Fulfilling the Promise of the Poor People’s Campaign: Universal Basic Income and Children’s Defense Fund” (Wed.)

Description

Please join CDF-NY staff including youth leaders for a discussion on universal basic income. Learn how economic justice tools like this, sometimes known as direct transfer or guaranteed income, can be used to end poverty and support organizing efforts for young people aging out of foster care. Hear directly from impacted youth about their vision for UBI and the path they see for change. 

Presenters

(NYC Staff) Kercena A. Dozier, Executive Director; Jose A. Perez, Project Manager; Embraia Fraizer, Youth Action Researcher; Justin Mercado, Youth Action Researcher; Maria E. Caba, Youth Leadership and Advocacy Manager